CAP Meritorious Service Awards Program
Our Meritorious Service Awards Program acknowledges outstanding contributions by CAP members to pathology, laboratory medicine, patient care, public service, and the CAP. Honorees are invited to accept their awards in person at our annual meeting.
Eligibility and Evaluation
- Currently serving CAP officers, board members, or candidates for any elected CAP office are not eligible for an award nomination.
- For most awards, an individual or a group of individuals such as a team may be nominated. An individual or a group of individuals may be nominated for more than one award but only recommend one individual or group of individuals per form.
- Self-nominations or incomplete nominations will not be considered. The CAP reserves the right to consider an individual or group of individuals for an award other than the one designated on the nomination form. Further, the CAP reserves the right to NOT confer an award in any given year.
- Representatives from each CAP council and the CAP Member Engagement Committee will evaluate all nominations and recommend a slate of award candidates to the Board of Governors for its approval in May 2024. Board decisions are final.
- No information about the nomination evaluation process and/or the nominees can be shared prior to the official notification of the award honorees.
Open Nomination Award Descriptions
CAP members, non-members, and staff can nominate a candidate for most meritorious awards by submitting a nomination form.
CAP Distinguished Patient Care Award
This award, established in 2006, recognizes and honors a member of the College of American Pathologists who has made an outstanding contribution to patient care. It recognizes behavior that, when emulated, enhances the practice of pathology. In addition, this award reflects the mission, vision, and values of the CAP. The CAP presents the award when merited, not necessarily on an annual basis. Nominees must be CAP members.
CAP Distinguished Service Award
This award, established in 1965 (and amended in 2006), recognizes episodic, sustained, or cumulative contributions to the practice of pathology and to the College of American Pathologists that are sufficiently notable and extraordinary as to set the nominee apart from their peers. Nominees must be CAP members.
CAP Lifetime Achievement Award
Established in 2006, the CAP Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes and honors a CAP member who has made a broad and positive impact on the pathology profession through contributions to one or more areas of the organization over an extended period of time, but who has never received a CAP Meritorious Service Award. This award may be presented to more than one individual in a particular year. Nominees must be CAP members.
CAP Outstanding Communicator Award
Established in Honor of William L. Kuehn, PhD
This award, established in 1991, recognizes outstanding contributions in the area of communications resulting in the strengthening of the image of pathology. It recognizes efforts to present a positive portrayal of the pathologist and the specialty of pathology through various communication channels. Nominees may be CAP members, non-members, or staff.
CAP Pathology Advancement Award
The College of American Pathologists established the CAP Pathology Advancement Award in 2013 to recognize a person or team demonstrating components of foresight, resolve and untiring commitment to both evolutionary and revolutionary undertakings that advance the positioning of the pathologist in the House of Medicine and the delivery of safer patient care. It recognizes efforts that are neither easy nor obvious, and the recipient(s) will often be a change agent. Nominees may be CAP members, staff, or non-members.
CAP Public Service Award
Established in Honor of Frank C. Coleman, MD, FCAP
Originally established in 1989 as the Frank C. Coleman Award for Public Service, this award honors the memory and work of the sixth president of the College of American Pathologists. In 2006, the name of the award was changed to the CAP Public Service Award Established in Honor of Frank C. Coleman, MD, FCAP. The award is given to a CAP Fellow who best exemplifies the political, citizenship, and leadership qualities of the late Dr. Coleman and is the highest honor for outstanding accomplishments and dedication to political and civic life and to public service in the US. The CAP presents this award when merited, not necessarily on an annual basis. Nominees must be CAP Fellows.
CAP Resident of the Year Award
This award was established in 2010 to recognize outstanding contributions by a CAP Junior Member in non-academic areas such as service to the CAP, to patients, and/or to the general public. CAP members may nominate deserving Junior Members who are in a pathology residency or fellowship training program at any point during the calendar year in which the award will be conferred.
CAP Staff Outstanding Achievement Award
The College of American Pathologists established the CAP Staff Outstanding Achievement Award in 2014 to recognize employees whose contributions during their career—through noteworthy programs and/or projects or a sustained history of going above and beyond—have greatly impacted and supported the growth and improvement of the CAP, including its staff, its members, and patients. Only CAP members or senior staff (vice presidents and above) may make nominations, and recipients must be employed by the CAP at the time of award conferral.
Closed Nomination Award Descriptions
Nominations for the following awards can only be made by specific CAP councils, committees, and service areas. These relevant parties nominate candidates in the related discipline.
CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program Service Award
Established in Honor of Major General Joseph M. Blumberg, MD, FCAP
The CAP Laboratory Accreditation Program Service Award honors the memory and work of Major General Joseph M. Blumberg, MD, FCAP, and recognizes a member of the College of American Pathologists who has contributed exceptional and outstanding service to the CAP’s Laboratory Accreditation Program. Nominee submitted by the Council on Accreditation (COA).
CAP Laboratory Improvement Programs Service Award
In 2006, the College of American Pathologists established the CAP Laboratory Improvement Programs Service Award to recognize an individual serving within the ranks of the Council on Scientific Affairs who has demonstrated exceptional service. Nominee submitted by the Council on Scientific Affairs (CSA).
CAP Outstanding Contribution to Pathology Informatics Standards Award
The CAP Outstanding Contribution to Pathology Informatics Standards Award, established in 2024, recognizes outstanding contributions to pathology informatics data standards by CAP members or staff that benefit pathology, laboratory medicine, patient care, public service, and the CAP. Nominee submitted by the Council on Informatics and Pathology Innovation (CIPI).
CAP Outstanding Educator Award
The CAP Outstanding Educator Award, established in 2018, recognizes outstanding performance and significant contributions in the advancement of professional development opportunities for pathologists and laboratory professionals. It is presented to an individual who has consistently demonstrated outstanding performance as faculty for a CAP education activity and/or has made outstanding contributions in the development of education activities for pathologists and/or laboratory professionals. Nominee submitted by the Council on Education (COE).
CAP Outstanding Service Award
Established in Honor of Frank W. Hartman, MD, FCAP
The CAP Outstanding Service Award Established in Honor of Frank W. Hartman, MD, FCAP, recognizes a Fellow of the CAP for outstanding service to a single CAP program, project, or related endeavor, generally over a long period of time. The award honors Dr. Frank W. Hartman, the first president of the College of American Pathologists. The CAP presents this award when merited, not necessarily on an annual basis. Nominee submitted by the CAP Executive Staff.
CAP Pathologist of the Year Award
The CAP Pathologist of the Year Award honors a CAP leader for outstanding contributions to the field of pathology and to the programs and activities of the College of American Pathologists. Nominee submitted by the Council on Membership and Professional Development (CMPD).
CAP Resident Advocate Award
The CAP Resident Advocate Award, established in 1990, recognizes outstanding contributions to and support of pathology residents and fellows. Nominee submitted by the Residents Forum Executive Committee (RFEC).
CAP Advocate of the Year Award in Honor of George F. Kwass, MD, FCAP
The CAP Advocate of the Year Award in Honor of George F. Kwass, MD, FCAP, established in 2018, recognizes outstanding accomplishments in advocacy on behalf of the CAP in the legislative, regulatory, and/or political arenas. It is presented to a CAP member who has made significant contributions to the CAP’s advocacy efforts and demonstrated dedication to helping achieve the CAP’s advocacy goals. The recipient will be a champion in the PathNET and PathPAC programs with involvement in: 1) advancing the CAP’s legislative and/or regulatory policy positions, 2) engaging with elected officials at the federal and/or state level, regulatory agencies, and other entities to promote such policies, and/or 3) participating in state pathology society or American Medical Association activities. Nominee submitted by the Council on Government and Professional Affairs (CGPA).
Meritorious Service Award Recipients
Take a moment to see the honorees awarded a CAP Meritorious Service Award.
Additional awards are available and presented outside of the CAP Meritorious Service Awards. Please see opportunities below.
CAP House of Delegates Award - The Dr. Mary Elizabeth Fowkes House of Delegates Pathology Achievement Award
The Dr. Mary Elizabeth Fowkes House of Delegates (HOD) Pathology Achievement Award is presented annually to a current or former CAP HOD member who demonstrates commitment to and achievements in bridging state and federal resources to advance the work of pathologists, and/or who excels in the ability to work effectively across various pathology organizations to identify common ground and address issues of concern. The 2024 nomination period is open through May 31, 2024. Click here for more information.
CAP Foundation Awards
The CAP Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the College of American Pathologists, offers grants and awards to support patient-centered work by pathologists and resident training and education.
Learn about CAP Foundation Awards and Grants.